FSW vs. Polytechnic University

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando in Orlando, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than Polytechnic University based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 127 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando is in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Florida SouthWestern State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando 5:1.

FSW vs. Polytechnic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW or Polytechnic University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida SouthWestern State College than Polytechnic University ($8,356 vs. $16,577).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida SouthWestern State College are 12.5% lower than at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando ($11,185 vs. $12,781).
• Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando is 327.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $11,146 more per year; $14,547.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Polytechnic University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $1,568 more per year; $14,547.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida SouthWestern State College than at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando (80% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($6,434 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. Polytechnic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW or Polytechnic University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Polytechnic University and FSW.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FSW - Open admission; Polytechnic University - Open admission.

FSW vs. Polytechnic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW and Polytechnic University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Florida SouthWestern State College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Polytechnic University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Polytechnic University graduates ($9,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Polytechnic University graduates ($93 vs. $201).
• More Polytechnic University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FSW students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.